Maddie takes a road trip to Nebraska

THIS PAGE TAKES A MINUTE TO LOAD. THERE ARE TONS OF FUN PHOTOS FROM OUR TRIPWe did so many things this week! Maddie swam, made cookies, lit fireworks, took baths outside, played with puppies, played cards, we golfed, had a princess party, met family, cousins, aunts/uncles, great grandparents, and new friends.

12 years ago I was living in Nebraska and decided to pack up my car and head 14 hours east to Michigan in search of “The Good Life.” While yes, I did find a great life in Michigan, a great husband, great job, and a great home. What I didn’t realize was that there is something missing from ‘my great life.’ In fact, life really is not life without this piece. And, I didn’t really need to go to Michigan to try to find it.

It was right where I had left it, in Nebraska.

My Family.....

This past week, we spent time with parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, niece and nephew, and friends. Throughout the week I heard comments of how proud people were of me, and what a great mom I am, or what a strong woman I have become. I have to let you in on a secret.

You (my family) are the ones who have so delicately modeled parenting, love, forgiveness, integrity, strength, confidence, and compassion.

I have become who I am because.....of you.

Without further ado, let me share with you all the events from our perfect week. Maddie and the dogs loved the road trip to Nebraska! We watched a movie on shapes, sang songs to Daddy and the dogs, played with an entire bag of toys, and of course...Took pictures!

We split the trip and drove 7 hours the first day, 7 hours the second day. Maddox spent her first night in a hotel in Illinois where she took a bath in the sink and slept peacefully in her porta-pack-n-play!

Here is Maddox riding so patiently while we drove to see her Sito and Pop Pop!

The first morning while I was getting ready in the bathroom Maddox found her favorite spot in the house. I loved mirrors growing up and we found out that Maddox does too. She spent some time everyday in the bathroom learning to sit, stand, and talk (to all four of herself).

Maddie and Pop Pop went out one morning and picked flowers for me. The card was carefully attached to the roses with love and with a twisty tie from the junk drawer. This just plain stole my heart (Thank you daddy Pop Pop)!

The weather was extremely hot and sunny in Nebraska this week, it didn’t take long to discover that Maddox was happiest indoors chillin’ in the air conditioning!

One of her jobs this week was to help make cookies for all the new people she would meet. What better cookie than a handprint that would show off her signature mark, a single crease in her hand.

Maddox had a blast making cookies and was SO PROUD! Or as Pop Pop would say, “Go big or go home.”

Did I mention that Maddox adores her Pop Pop? One evening, they were partners in crime. Oops, I meant, partners in cards.

Maddox’s great Aunt works in the Library and brought some new books for her. She loves turning pages to books. Ann, my Godmother also came to meet Maddox.

We had another photo shoot (of course). Sito makes the prettiest headbands for us. Yep, I have to post every photo from this shoot because I just couldn’t decide which one I liked best!

Did I mention....Maddox adores her Pop Pop!What a memorable week, especially when you get to take your bath outside in an inflatable quacking duck! We had so much fun!

The best part of the bath was watching Maddox and Daisy interact. This three part photo series is Priceless......

Ok, so Maddox might really be saying to Daisy, “I forgive you for eating my pacifier.”

We had a special party so all our family and friends could meet Miss Maddox, including Great Gido and Great Sito.

I had one bittersweet moment at this party when we did the “Four Generation’ photo shot. I had dreamt of this moment for a long time. Four generations of strong women, it is amazing what each one of us has accomplished and learned in these years from traveling by boat to the USA and writing letters by hand to traveling by solar powered cars and communicating via text messages. There are over 150 years of life within the four of us. I couldn’t help but wonder what Maddox’s life will bring. What things will she see, what will she accomplish?

These thoughts are not bad but I must be 100% honest with you. I had a terrible thought too. I thought about how this is the end, no more generation photos. Great Sito will not become a Great-Great Sito, Sito will not become a Great Sito, and I will not become a Sito.

Maddox will not have children..... Yes, as the literature says, I will have tough moments when I least expect them. This was one of them. Although, I knew I couldn’t get lost in that thought for very long, my family was here to meet Maddox. Aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, cousins, second cousins, etc.... My precious family all gathered around to celebrate the newest addition.

My grandfather was at his very best today. He entertained, told jokes, took walks, and must have just plain wore himself out because that evening we got word that he fell and broke his hip. He had surgery and pins were placed in his hip. He will be in the nursing home recovering for 6 weeks. Please say a prayer for healthy healing for him.

My mom and I managed to get in some shopping this week. Maddox played in the toy box at one of the shops and I had to chuckle at the pig jax game. Only in Nebraska......

One evening we went to the park. I think Daddy had the most fun!

And of course Scott and I managed to sneak in a healthy helping of potato ole’s at the one and only..... Taco Johns!

The highlight of the trip was my birthday! My family loves to celebrate birthdays and since my birthday is in the summer, it always seems like we find ways to celebrate any chance we get during the month of July. It has been years since we were all together on this day so my family threw me once in a lifetime surprise princess party. This party definitely goes down in the books as being the most memorable. My sister in law lured me out of the house with some shopping while the rest of the family decorated. I came home to this.

A chalk drawing at the entrance to the house that said, “Welcome to your kingdom” made by my niece Ally.

My family had decorated the house and dressed up as kings, queens, princes, and princesses.

Even the dogs got decked out in princess gear.

The boys were not at all impressed with King Copper and Princess Daisy.

I made a wish and we sat around in the Awtry Kindgom to eat my princess cake.

I have the most incredible family in the world. I love them so much. Yes, I did feel like a princess today, a very loved princess. Thank you a gazillion times for throwing this amazing party. I will never forget it.

Some other fun things we did this week. We painted Maddox and her cousin Ally’s toes like watermelons (thanks to my awesome hairdresser for the supplies)!

We went to visit Daisy’s family (Uncle Luther, Daisy, Sister Atti-tude, and Mommy Isabella)

A week with Maddox’s grandparents would not be complete without a trip to the pool!! Maddox loves splashing and kicking in the water and even went down the slide!

There is nothing better after a swim than a warm bath in Sito and Pop Pop’s sink. If you are wondering about Pop Pop’s expression in the third photo he is saying, “3-2-1 Blastoff” and imitating a rocket. Of course, Maddox is smiling at him.

Because this picture makes me laugh so very much, I just had to post it. This is Sito while cousin Drew was getting his bath! Yes, those are what you think they are! Big boy undies!

I have talked in my other blogs about how much I love the month of July. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, fireworks, but I have not mentioned how much I love catching fireflies. This year, the tradition went to my niece who delicately filled the glowing jar.

Those that know me really well, know that I can’t make it through the month of July without doing fireworks every chance I get (there are no rules that say you can’t use your niece and nephew to help you get what you want)! I just love these guys to pieces! ☺

Whew, what an incredible week in “The Good Life” state. A great big thank you goes out to my mom for all her planning and shopping so that my trip home would be perfect. Mom, mission totally accomplished. Love you!!

Comments:

CATHYSeriously.... you want me to comment on that? It would take me years. You are beautiful, your daughter is beautiful and you family is beautiful. I can't believe that I missed the princess party! Love the watermelon nails. :) <3SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010 - 06:55 PM

AUNT CHERYLThese are amazing pictures of all of you!!!! Love you all lots and lotsSUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010 - 11:00 PM

SITOt's unanimous, we didn't get enough time with our beautiful baby doll. I knew Maddie had changed my life but come to find out her Pop-Pop as well. We miss you soooo much. The snuggles, the smiles, the doubled dimpled smiles, the talking and yes even pulling my hair. We love you baby doll.MONDAY, JULY 26, 2010 - 11:12 PM